Career changes in a lifetime

[Ideas]

I'm skeptical of this article's statement based on other things I've read:

Considering that research has found that the average worker will change careers – not jobs but careers – five to seven times in their lifetime, career planning is an activity you should do at least once a year.

From https://www.livecareer.com/career/advice...nning-tips

But many people decided to switch careers around 2006-2009, and it seems like some of them are switching again. I think that tech and the need for healthcare services will cause more and more to switch.

I think schools will see more demand for allowing a third bachelor's, especially in tech fields.

[dfrecore]

I'm skeptical of this article's statement based on other things I've read:

Considering that research has found that the average worker will change careers – not jobs but careers – five to seven times in their lifetime, career planning is an activity you should do at least once a year.

From https://www.livecareer.com/career/advice...nning-tips

But many people decided to switch careers around 2006-2009, and it seems like some of them are switching again. I think that tech and the need for healthcare services will cause more and more to switch.

I think schools will see more demand for allowing a third bachelor's, especially in tech fields.

I think people on here are probably worse than the average person in terms of thinking that a change in careers (or a new career whether you're changing or not) means that a degree is needed to do so.  I don't think this is the case at all.  You probably aren't going to need a 3rd bachelor's degree to change most careers - you just need to find the right place to give you a chance, and many times this happens.  It's easier for a company to see a person that's been successful at a previous job/career, and decide that they have the skills (even if not the degree) to be successful at their company.

I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.  Almost no one needs a 3rd (or even 2nd) bachelor's degree for a career change.

[Merlin]

I'm skeptical of this article's statement based on other things I've read:

Considering that research has found that the average worker will change careers – not jobs but careers – five to seven times in their lifetime, career planning is an activity you should do at least once a year.

From https://www.livecareer.com/career/advice...nning-tips

But many people decided to switch careers around 2006-2009, and it seems like some of them are switching again. I think that tech and the need for healthcare services will cause more and more to switch.

I think schools will see more demand for allowing a third bachelor's, especially in tech fields.

I think people on here are probably worse than the average person in terms of thinking that a change in careers (or a new career whether you're changing or not) means that a degree is needed to do so.  I don't think this is the case at all.  You probably aren't going to need a 3rd bachelor's degree to change most careers - you just need to find the right place to give you a chance, and many times this happens.  It's easier for a company to see a person that's been successful at a previous job/career, and decide that they have the skills (even if not the degree) to be successful at their company.

I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.  Almost no one needs a 3rd (or even 2nd) bachelor's degree for a career change.

I agree with this.

Heck, IMO if a person has the will and dedication, even the 1st bachelor's degree is unnecessary for a career or career change. I've managed to be fairly successful in my own career and have changed my career focus twice without a piece of paper giving me permission. My motto is "always be learning and growing"... this will take you far. Career success is more about what you know, how you apply it, and who you impress with it.

Granted, without a degree it is hard to get your foot in the door in a new field unless you have some way to bridge your existing experience, but it can be done. Volunteer work is one option, for example, but that is tough for someone who has a family and bills to pay. But at the same time, spending thousands (or tens of thousands) on a new degree won't necessarily open any doors either.

[quigongene]

I would argue that a 3rd bachelors could even be detrimental, as it makes you look like a career student. Like Merlin, I've been successful in my career on mostly experience (and some certs).

[burbuja0512]

I can't imagine that anyone who has even a decent job is changing careers that frequently. It's taken me years to work my way up in the field, and it seems like even "entry-level" people are expected to have experience.

A degree is important, but I agree with Quigongene that a 3rd bachelor's wouldn't help. BUT I am in international business, so I would rather see some experience PLUS another language, or even a year off spent living in another country. Heck, I would even take someone learning another language who does some volunteer work using their new language and learning the culture. (Even if they don't leave the country!)

That being said, it seems like everyone wants to see a resume where most of the jobs listed at least partly relate to each other, and of course relate to the field where you're applying.

[sanantone]

Most people don't have a second bachelor's degree because most people don't even have a first bachelor's degree. So, the demand for third bachelor's degrees will be low. Graduate school is increasingly becoming the option for making a career change, and that's where a disproportionate amount of the student loan debt comes from. 

However, there is a difference between a career change and a drastic career change. And, the amount of additional education you'll need depends on the occupation you're trying to enter. If you want to become a nurse, then you're going to need another degree. Almost everything in the healthcare and STEM (other than IT) fields will require another degree. One can't expect to become a medical physicist with an English degree. Just not going to happen. Want to become a psychotherapist with your marketing degree? That's not going to happen either.

---

This doesn't just apply to STEM and healthcare. I could spend 10 years in my current position, and I wouldn't meet the entry-level auditor requirements within my own agency because I don't have enough accounting credits.

[cookderosa]

I'm skeptical of this article's statement based on other things I've read:

Considering that research has found that the average worker will change careers – not jobs but careers – five to seven times in their lifetime, career planning is an activity you should do at least once a year.

From https://www.livecareer.com/career/advice...nning-tips

But many people decided to switch careers around 2006-2009, and it seems like some of them are switching again. I think that tech and the need for healthcare services will cause more and more to switch.

I think schools will see more demand for allowing a third bachelor's, especially in tech fields.

I've had the privilege of pursuing 4 very different careers in my life so far, so I can see someone younger than me having 5. 7 feels like a lot, but I guess it depends on how hard you have to pivot to really be considered a career changer.

[Jenniferinfl]

I have to admit to not really knowing the distinction between job change and career change. At the bottom of the ladder there doesn't really seem to be much difference.
My jobs/careers? have included
Commissioned jewelry sales
Animal shelter kennel worker
Animal shelter veterinary assistant
Overnight retail stocker
Overnight grocery manager
Retail department manager
Commissioned furniture sales
Factory work- installing hubs in grinding wheels
Warehouse stocker
Tech support for Apple
Inventory clerk- supervisory level
Warehouse clerk - (driving forklift and cherry picker)
Library Assistant - teen programming and item processing

I'm not sure how someone would divide that up into jobs or careers.

[dfrecore]

I have to admit to not really knowing the distinction between job change and career change. At the bottom of the ladder there doesn't really seem to be much difference.
My jobs/careers? have included
Commissioned jewelry sales
Animal shelter kennel worker
Animal shelter veterinary assistant
Overnight retail stocker
Overnight grocery manager
Retail department manager
Commissioned furniture sales
Factory work- installing hubs in grinding wheels
Warehouse stocker
Tech support for Apple
Inventory clerk- supervisory level
Warehouse clerk - (driving forklift and cherry picker)
Library Assistant - teen programming and item processing

I'm not sure how someone would divide that up into jobs or careers.

I'm also going to say that most (all) of these don't require a degree - so there's no need to get a 2nd/3rd degree for them.

But I agree, if I look at my jobs back when I was in my teens/early 20's, they were random.  Then, when I started working in accounting, and found my niche, it kind of led to other things.  I went from Accounting Analyst to Payroll/Stock Plan Administrator to Stock Plan/401(k) Plan Administrator to Compensation Analyst/Consultant to Compensation Manager.  Were those all career changes?  Not really - they were each promotions, sometimes within a company, sometimes leaving, always a step up from what I'd been doing prior, and always were dependent upon the previous position's skills/knowledge.

Now degree planner/transcript evaluator is a complete change.  So I'm going to say I've changed careers twice - but I'll be if you put me in this study, I've changed a dozen times or more.